Your Essential Guide to Transportable and Prefab Homes
Your Essential Guide to Transportable and Prefab Homes
Welcome to your essential guide for building a prefab home and navigating the exciting building journey ahead! Explore the future of homeownership with innovative and efficient building methods gaining popularity among Kiwis. Transportable and prefab homes are leading the way, offering flexibility, quicker construction times, and cost certainty – making them an appealing choice. Whether you’re looking to build your first home, a holiday home, or looking to invest, our guide provides insights to help you make informed decisions.
What are Transportable and Prefab Homes?
Transportable homes are fully built in a factory and then transported to your desired location. Depending on the type, these homes can be constructed entirely or in sections/modules in a factory setting and then assembled on-site. Both types offer a streamlined building process and can be tailored to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Why Choose Transportable and Prefab Homes?
Several factors drive the trend toward these homes, including the need for sustainable building practices, faster construction timelines, and cost certainty. These modern housing solutions are becoming increasingly relevant in today’s evolving housing market.
Advance Build: Leading the Way
With over 16 years of experience and more than 500 prefabricated transportable homes built, Advance Build is a pioneer in this field. Our factory in Kerikeri allows us to streamline the construction process, providing a smooth journey from initial consultation to completion. Our expertise ensures that each project is handled with care and precision, delivering a home building experience that exceeds expectations.
What This Guide Covers
This comprehensive guide delves into the benefits, construction process, customisation options, and more about transportable and prefab homes. Whether you’re dreaming of your own home or simply curious, this guide has all the information you need.
Understanding Prefab Homes
“Transportable” and “Prefabricated” are umbrella terms for several innovative construction methods. Here’s a breakdown of common types:
Manufactured Homes:
Fully built in a factory and transported to site by experienced house-movers, then sited on their structural foundations and secured into place. Advance Build specialises in Manufactured Homes.
Modular Homes:
Built in sections (modules) in a factory and assembled on a permanent foundation on-site.
Kit Homes:
Prefabricated pieces are shipped to the site for assembly on site. The kit contains all components including walls, roofs, and floors, which can be assembled by either the homeowner or a contractor.
For more details on the differences, read our blog: The Difference Between Modular, Prefab, Kitset, and Transportable Homes.Comparing with Traditional Homes
Traditional homes are built entirely on-site, which can be affected by weather, site accessibility, and other variables. In contrast, transportable homes are constructed in controlled environments, ensuring consistent quality and reducing delays. Unlike traditional homes, transportable homes offer a more streamlined construction process, as much of the work is done concurrently in a factory setting. This results in shorter construction timelines, cost certainty, and minimal material waste, making transportable homes a more economical and efficient choice.
Benefits of Prefab and Transportable Homes
Cost Certainty
One of the greatest benefits of prefab and transportable homes is their cost certainty. Traditional home construction frequently incurs unexpected costs due to labour, material waste, and weather-related delays. In contrast, prefab and transportable homes are constructed in factory settings where costs are carefully managed, providing homeowners with more predictable expenses.
- Reduced Labour Costs:
Factory efficiency lowers labour expenses compared to on-site construction. - Minimised Material Waste:
Precise manufacturing reduces material waste, contributing to overall cost savings. - Fewer Delays:
Controlled environments prevent weather delays, ensuring that projects stay on budget and schedule.
Environmental Benefits
Prefab and transportable homes are inherently more sustainable than traditional builds, offering several environmental benefits:
- Energy Efficiency: Factories can incorporate energy-efficient materials and designs more effectively, resulting in homes that consume less energy over their lifespan. This translates to lower utility bills and reduced carbon footprints.
- Waste Reduction: Factory construction allows for better resource management, significantly reducing waste compared to traditional on-site construction.
- Sustainable Materials: Many prefab homes use eco-friendly materials that contribute to a lower environmental impact
Time Efficiency
Time is a critical factor in any construction project, and prefab and transportable homes excel in this area:
- Quick Construction: Building in a controlled environment allows for parallel processing of different construction stages, drastically reducing the overall build time.
- Guaranteed Move In Date: Delivered overnight, your transportable home is set on its structural foundations, and any further site works including decks, garages and utility connections are completed. This stage normally takes 4 to 6 weeks depending on the level of site work involved. enabling homeowners to move in much sooner than traditional homes.
- Weather Independence: Factory construction is not affected by adverse weather conditions, ensuring timely completion.
Quality Control and Durability
Advance Build’s commitment to quality ensures that every prefab and transportable home meets the highest standards of durability and craftsmanship:
- Controlled Environment: Factory settings provide a controlled environment where quality control measures can be rigorously enforced at every stage of construction.
- Consistent Standards: Precise engineering and standardised processes ensure consistent quality across all units.
- Durable Materials: High-quality, durable materials are used to withstand the rigours of transportation and ensure long-lasting performance
Considerations and Challenges
Navigating Building Codes and Regulations
Understanding and navigating building codes and regulations is crucial. At Advance Build, we provide guidance on various aspects, including:
- Land Covenants: Some developments have specific covenants that restrict the types of homes allowed. These covenants may be misunderstood to exclude all prefabricated homes, but their intention is usually to prohibit second-hand dwellings rather than new, high-quality factory-built homes. We can work with you to provide advice on navigating these covenants with local authorities or developers to ensure compliance and avoid potential issues.
- Building Codes: Prefab and transportable homes must adhere to building codes, just like traditional homes. These codes ensure safety, structural integrity, and energy efficiency standards are upheld. Partnering with experienced providers like Advance Build, who are well-versed in these regulations, can simplify the process and ensure your home meets all building.
Utilities and Installation
While prefab and transportable homes offer significant cost-saving benefits, the related site works are similar to any other build. It’s important to consider additional expenses related to utilities and site installation.
- Utility Connections: Connecting your home to essential services like water, power, and sewage will incur costs. These expenses can vary depending on the location and existing infrastructure. At Advance Build, we factor these costs into your price and manage all works involved with utility connections, ensuring a seamless process for you.
- Site Preparation: Preparing your site for installation involves tasks such as excavation, driveway construction, land leveling, and building retaining walls, all of which contribute to the overall budget. Proper site preparation is crucial to ensure a secure and safe installation of your home. At Advance Build, we oversee the entire process to ensure your site is prepared to the right specifications for your new home.
- Transport and Setup: With Advance Build, your initial price will include delivery and foundations for your home based on a level and accessible site in your region. However, additional costs may apply for sloping sites, restricted access and delivery routes, as well as non-standard foundations and other local council requirements. It’s important to consider these potential expenses when budgeting for the transport and setup of your home.
Financing Options
Financing a prefab or transportable home involves a different approach compared to traditional home financing. Many finance providers specialise in offering loans tailored specifically for prefab homes, which come with favourable terms and conditions:
- Specialised Loans: Some lenders specialise in prefab home financing, offering competitive rates and flexible terms designed for prefab homebuyers.
- Traditional Mortgages: Depending on the home and its permanent foundation status, traditional mortgage options may also be available. Consulting with financial advisors or mortgage brokers is essential to explore all available financing options.
Advance Build offers bridging finance to assist with meeting lenders’ requirements during offsite manufacturing. Some banks may hesitate to finance a manufactured home due to concerns about the security of their funds at this stage. Our bridging finance options include:
- Option 1: 1% fee of the total contract value. Payment terms: 10% on signing the contract agreement, 80% on delivery of the dwelling to the client’s site, and 10% at Practical Completion.
- Option 2: 2% fee of the total contract value. Payment terms: 10% upon signing the contract agreement, and 90% at Practical Completion.
- Option 3: 3% fee of the total contract value. Payment terms: 10% on signing the contract agreement, and 90% on receipt of the Council Code of Compliance Certificate. This option is available only where Advance Build is responsible for 100% of the work to be completed for CCC.
By understanding these considerations and challenges, you can navigate the process of buying a prefab or transportable home more effectively. Advance Build is dedicated to guiding you through each step, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free home building experience.
Buying Guide for First-Time Homebuyers
Step-by-Step Process of Purchasing a Prefab or Transportable Home
Building your dream home with Advance Build is designed to be seamless and stress-free. You’ll be taken care of from start to finish, working with one team through design, permits, build, installation and handover! Here’s how we guide you through our simple 6 step process:
Free Floor Plan & Quote:
First you’ll need to decide on your floor plan. You can use one of our plans or your own design, or a combination of both! If site access is a problem we have modular home plans available. Let us help you make the decision. You can add a garage, decks and a veranda and customise any plan with your own style of kitchen and bathrooms and any other details you need. If you have land, we can provide you with a full turn-key proposal so you will know exactly what your new home will cost. Our friendly Home Consultants are ready to help you through the process and we provide this service completely FREE
The Home Starter Pack:
Secure your place in our building schedule with a $10,000 deposit for detailed concept plans. You’ll receive comprehensive plans and pricing, and we’ll visit your site and assess any site challenges. You will also choose colours and finishing touches, to make your home as individual as you are. We encourage careful review and up to three rounds of plan revisions to ensure your satisfaction before moving forward.
The Contract:
Factory Construction:
Delivery to Site:
LIVE YOUR DREAM!
Customisation Options for Prefab Homes
- Floor Plans and Layouts: Choose from a variety of pre-designed floor plans or work with your Advance Build Home Consultant to create a custom layout that maximises space and functionality.
- Exterior Finishes: Select from a range of exterior materials (such as roofing and cladding), colours, and finishes to achieve the perfect look for your home.
- Interior Design: Personalise interior elements like flooring, cabinetry, countertops, bathroom fittings, and lighting to create a cohesive and stylish interior. Our mood boards and refined range of specifications and samples can assist you in selecting colours and specifications.
- Kitchen Design: Your kitchen is custom-designed and manufactured locally, ensuring it meets your culinary needs and aesthetic preferences. Maximise storage space and functionality, and choose from our appliance range that best suits your needs.
- Joinery Customisation: Customise window and door configurations to suit your space and style, whether it’s ranch sliders for easy access and to maximise the views from your site, or awning windows for ventilation and light – we can tailor your design to suit your needs.
- Additional Site Works: Enhance your home with extra features such as decks, stairs, verandas, garages, carports or even a dream outdoor entertaining area. Our team will complete these on site after your home has been delivered and fixed to its foundations.
Advance Build's Customisable Floor Plans
- Versatility: Our floor plans are highly adaptable, allowing you to adjust room sizes, layouts, and incorporate additional features like decks or garages.
- Practical Design: Each plan is carefully designed to maximise space efficiency and enhance flow, ensuring practical and comfortable living environments.
- Personal Touches: Add your personal touch with customised kitchen designs, bathroom fixtures, and living areas, creating a home that truly reflects your individual style.
- Future-Proofing: Designed with future flexibility in mind, our floor plans make it straightforward to accommodate changing needs or future expansions.
Explore Advance Build’s customisable floor plans here to find inspiration and plan your dream home.
Find out More: Navigating The Prefab Journey: Mastering The Art Of Selecting The Ideal Floor Plan And Location
Working with the Advance Build Team
Success Stories from Advance Build Clients
“Every problem that we’d been told we had prior, Advance Build just said – too easy! And that’s been their attitude all the way through, if you come up with an idea, they’ll incorporate it. The idea of the house being completed under a roof really appealed, we looked at another couple of houses that had been built and moved off site, but the quality of Advance Build’s was head and shoulders above the rest.”
Nigel & Amanda Richards | Ruatangata West
For more inspiring stories, visit Advance Build’s testimonials page here.
Choosing a prefab or transportable home from Advance Build offers numerous benefits, including cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and time efficiency. With customisable floor plans, expert design services, and a streamlined construction process, Advance Build ensures your dream home becomes a reality.
Are you ready to explore the possibilities of prefab and transportable homes? Reach out to Advance Build and start planning your dream home today!